Little John is a presumably fictional character in the legend of Robin Hood. According to the legend he was a giant of a man (at least seven foot) who was named John Little. Robin Hood first encountered him when he tried to prevent Robin from crossing a narrow bridge. The two men then fought with quarterstaffs, and Robin knocked him into the river. Impressed with Robin's skill, John agreed to join his band and fight alongside him. He was then called Little John. This scene is almost always re-enacted in movie and television versions of the story.
Despite a lack of historical evidence for his existence, Little John is reputed to be buried in a churchyard in the village of Hathersage, Derbyshire. A modern tombstone marks the supposed location of his grave, which lies under an old yew tree.
